Local author writes, 'don't let 'em treat you like a girl'

GREENCASTLE, Pa. - When Liz Weber was 24 and buying her first new car, her father offered advice that became the philosophy that has led to a successful career in business.

"Don't let 'em treat you like a girl," her dad said before sending Weber, the youngest of his 13 children, to the car dealership. He said, know the facts about the car you want, make a fair offer, make it a business deal, not an emotional deal.

Her dad's advice eventually led to "Don't Let 'Em Treat You Like a Girl, A Woman's Guide to Leadership Success (Tips from the Guys)," the title of Weber's second book. It came out in January.

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Weber, who moved to Greencastle in 1994, drew much of her research from men who offered tips to women on how to succeed in the business world.

The book covers 10 broad categories of topics in its 190 pages.

In a note to readers, Weber said most of her observations, ideas and suggestions were gained in her years of experience working in male-dominated environments.

Her clients include single-employee companies to global giants, government and the private sector.

Last year, she traveled to Moscow to give a presentation at the American Embassy.

She hires consultants, marketing, human resources and computer experts as she needs them, she said.

Her personal heroine is Carly Fiorina, chief executive officer of Hewlett-Packard, one of a handful of women CEOs of global corporations.

"She loses her temper when the media writes about them as women. Gender, age, race, weight are all irrelevant. It's about whether you can do the job," Weber said. "Fiorina has been able to get where she's gotten because she keeps that in focus."

Weber said it took about two years to write the book.

According to a background segment in the book, Weber said she was inspired to write the book by a young woman she met at a business conference in Arizona. The woman was dressed wrong for business - revealing blouse, hot pink jacket and matching short skirt, long blonde hair with billowing curls.

"Needless to say, what she accentuated got noticed," Weber wrote.

The woman asked her what she could do to earn the respect of her manager and co-workers.

"Stop acting like a girl," Weber told her.

She interviewed men and women to get their insights into why so many women were unhappy in their careers and have strained relationships with colleagues.

Their contributions were "enlightening, humorous, confirming and honest," she wrote in the book.

The last tip in the book - "Be an equal, not a belle. Blend woman-ness with business" - seems to tie things together.

Weber said she wrote the book as a "quick read, something you can pick up in an airport gift shop, hop on a plane and get something out of it," she said.

A book signing for Weber is scheduled April 29 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Casey's Restaurant and Lounge, 155 S. Antrim Way, Greencastle.